At once, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and start back across the lake. But he stayed until he had sent the crowds away. Then he went up on a mountain where he could be alone and pray. Later in the evening, he was still there. By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water toward his disciples. When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.
Memory Verse: Never give up praying. And when you pray, keep alert and be thankful. Colossians 4:2.
Some people are discouraged already. Yes that’s correct! More people than you could ever imagine have already been hit by the spirit of discouragement and depression despite being only a few days into a year. A good number of people have gone so deep into thinking that prayer has now been put into the auto mode or let’s say now being seen as a basic activity.
Being used to prayer is really a good thing but praying because you’re used to praying is different from praying with alertness and intention. The physical man is still carrying on the activity but the mind is so distanced that even though we pray, we are not in the conversation with God.
It’s almost like a scenario of having a conversation or meeting you’re not really interested in. What you do is sit there being physically present but nothing is registered in your mind and almost zero involvement. You still are in that conversation but because you’re mind is not there, you will not retain much information, if any at all and you likewise may make no meaningful contribution.
Conversations with God can be had at anywhere and at any place but our state of heart and the intention positions us to hear from God. The bible shows us that when Moses wanted to meet with God, he separated himself from the rest of the world and the result is the ten commandments.
Moses went up the mountain to meet with the Lord God, Exodus 9:3
How intentional are you about your conversations with God? Are you ready to talk to God or are you too busy to make time for God?
Jesus had the relationship with the Father but He understood the importance of not being too familiar hence He spent time alone with the Father. We see that shortly after His personal time with God, He not only walked on water but Peter also benefitted from His prayer. Your prayer life will extend to those around you more than you could ever imagine.
Don’t be too familiar during conversations with God. To receive something special and unique, we ought to honor God by giving Him the attention He deserves and intentionally communicate with Him for and on everything .
PRAYERS
- Father, I thank you for another wonderful day in your presence
- Thank you for the anointing upon me to pray and for the gift of salvation
- Forgive me Lord of all my iniquities, bless me abundantly and make me a blessing unto others, in Jesus mighty name
- Help me to pray without ceasing and in all things give thanks and without grumbling or complaining.
- Thank you for you have answered my prayers, IJMN I pray, Amen.
